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booksalacarte's reviews
659 reviews
Wisteria by Adalyn Grace
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
2.5⭐️3🌶️
New adult Romantasy
Magical Historical Realism
Marriage of convenience
Sentient house
Reincarnation
Slow burn
This series was not for me. This review relays my frustration.
I didn’t enjoy the last two books enough that I sold my first editions. FOMO made me read this book. But, I’m SO glad I cancelled my preorder. This series was just NOT for me.
Questions from the previous books that I had going into the third: Is the magic system explained in a satisfactory way? Does it explain how reincarnation is possible? Does it explain how the first FMC is able to have reaper powers? Is it consistent from book to book? How is a deity able to die, and their powers still continue on without them? Will the murder of Signa’s mom be explained and concluded?
The only thing consistent from book to book is my frustration, disappointment and asking “ok but HOW?”
Nothing is explained. AND the characters that should know just say that they don’t. I absolutely HATE it when an author takes an easy way out in world-building and when a character is asked, just says “I don’t know”. Newsflash, that’s not mysterious, it’s lazy writing.
Blythe has always been my preferred FMC. Her character arc was always more engaging. The romance was more interesting. I wish that HER story had been 2 books long. This book threw all her potential in the trash. Sure the romance was working but why was the plot conflict solved so quickly?! Then the Epilogue?!!!!
Why was Signa’s story so prominent in a book featuring Blythe? If you weren’t completely done with her character arc, this should have been a 3rd Signa/Death book… because there STILL isn’t a resolution for that.
The plot holes are stark. The backstory shifted. The ending was rushed and fell flat. Characters brought in were a missed opportunity.
The epilogue was just awful. Creating MORE world-building and magic origins questions. Not to mention that it negated the whole, “you don’t have to be her for me to love you”. There was barely a relationship after they first started liking each other.
The premise is so good… the execution was meh and the world-building was barely there and lackluster.
I will not be reading anything further in this series/world.
___________
Belladonna Series overall: 3⭐️3🌶️
Belladonna- 3⭐️2.75🌶️
Foxglove- 3⭐️3🌶️
Wisteria- 2.5⭐️3🌶️
New adult Romantasy
Magical Historical Realism
Marriage of convenience
Sentient house
Reincarnation
Slow burn
This series was not for me. This review relays my frustration.
I didn’t enjoy the last two books enough that I sold my first editions. FOMO made me read this book. But, I’m SO glad I cancelled my preorder. This series was just NOT for me.
Questions from the previous books that I had going into the third: Is the magic system explained in a satisfactory way? Does it explain how reincarnation is possible? Does it explain how the first FMC is able to have reaper powers? Is it consistent from book to book? How is a deity able to die, and their powers still continue on without them? Will the murder of Signa’s mom be explained and concluded?
The only thing consistent from book to book is my frustration, disappointment and asking “ok but HOW?”
Nothing is explained. AND the characters that should know just say that they don’t. I absolutely HATE it when an author takes an easy way out in world-building and when a character is asked, just says “I don’t know”. Newsflash, that’s not mysterious, it’s lazy writing.
Blythe has always been my preferred FMC. Her character arc was always more engaging. The romance was more interesting. I wish that HER story had been 2 books long. This book threw all her potential in the trash. Sure the romance was working but why was the plot conflict solved so quickly?! Then the Epilogue?!!!!
Why was Signa’s story so prominent in a book featuring Blythe? If you weren’t completely done with her character arc, this should have been a 3rd Signa/Death book… because there STILL isn’t a resolution for that.
The plot holes are stark. The backstory shifted. The ending was rushed and fell flat. Characters brought in were a missed opportunity.
The epilogue was just awful. Creating MORE world-building and magic origins questions. Not to mention that it negated the whole, “you don’t have to be her for me to love you”. There was barely a relationship after they first started liking each other.
The premise is so good… the execution was meh and the world-building was barely there and lackluster.
I will not be reading anything further in this series/world.
___________
Belladonna Series overall: 3⭐️3🌶️
Belladonna- 3⭐️2.75🌶️
Foxglove- 3⭐️3🌶️
Wisteria- 2.5⭐️3🌶️
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
5⭐️3🌶️
Contemporary romance
Dual POV
NY Setting
Rivals to lovers
Professional musicians
Grumpy Sunshine
Forced proximity
Celebrity
That first chapter was so dang good!! The meet cute was really smart. The angst was established. The histories in place. Characters from a previous Julie Soto book made a hint of an appearance. And the little gauntlet was throne down between the two MC’s. I’m invested after just that first chapter.
The grumpy sunshine was giving. I was giggling and kicking my heels at the banter. I adore a book where he falls harder. Yes yes yesss!
I really appreciated that the miscommunication wasn’t a huge blown out of proportion miscommunication. The plot was good! I think it caught the musicianship and high stakes of live performances pretty well. I wish the side characters had been a little more focused. The villains felt pretty twirl your mustache evil from the very beginning. So I wanted that to be a little more overt and surprising than it was.
I loved it.
Julie, I’m a fan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
4.5⭐️3🌶️
Adult Fantasy
Thief FMC
Oppressed kingdom
Secret Magic
Imprisonment
Fae
Gods
Mythical creatures
Found family
Mates
Forced proximity
Morally grey MMC
If you like a tropey, spicy, romantasy read, this is for you!
The writing was decently engaging. It was an easy book to read. Maybe things were familiar because the fae plot has just been over done, at this point. But if you don’t mind it, the FMC’s magic is pretty unique for a fae based book. I still enjoyed it. Did I think of ACOTAR, FBAA and a little Serpent and the wings of night? Yup. Did I care? Not really. There was enough differences that I just let it breathe. I’m sure things will find their own way in the next book.
The characters are your basic human/fae pairing. He’s old, she’s fragile. Bla bla bla. There is insta-attraction, insta-friendships. I wish the friendship had been more organic… instead it felt like she was just added into a found family that we don’t have much context about. But there was a lot of plot going on, so hopefully that will be fixed in the next book.
I think I preferred the first setting to the second or third. I want more of the wheel spoke city. I’m assuming with the loose ties there, we will go back. But we are pretty far from it right now.
There were some inconsistencies… like her mom works at a library underground with books, which are hard to find in her section… but then she is a prostitute? I’m not sure how those two ends meet. And that’s a small one.
I liked the ending. I’m invested! It was a very bingeable read.
Adult Fantasy
Thief FMC
Oppressed kingdom
Secret Magic
Imprisonment
Fae
Gods
Mythical creatures
Found family
Mates
Forced proximity
Morally grey MMC
If you like a tropey, spicy, romantasy read, this is for you!
The writing was decently engaging. It was an easy book to read. Maybe things were familiar because the fae plot has just been over done, at this point. But if you don’t mind it, the FMC’s magic is pretty unique for a fae based book. I still enjoyed it. Did I think of ACOTAR, FBAA and a little Serpent and the wings of night? Yup. Did I care? Not really. There was enough differences that I just let it breathe. I’m sure things will find their own way in the next book.
The characters are your basic human/fae pairing. He’s old, she’s fragile. Bla bla bla. There is insta-attraction, insta-friendships. I wish the friendship had been more organic… instead it felt like she was just added into a found family that we don’t have much context about. But there was a lot of plot going on, so hopefully that will be fixed in the next book.
I think I preferred the first setting to the second or third. I want more of the wheel spoke city. I’m assuming with the loose ties there, we will go back. But we are pretty far from it right now.
There were some inconsistencies… like her mom works at a library underground with books, which are hard to find in her section… but then she is a prostitute? I’m not sure how those two ends meet. And that’s a small one.
I liked the ending. I’m invested! It was a very bingeable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Infertility, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Alcohol, War, and Classism
Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
First Impressions by Linda Middleton
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
First impressions
1.75⭐️2.75🌶️
Contemporary romance
British Romcom
Workplace romance
Family dynamics
Miscommunication
3rd act breakup
Tw: domestic violence, terrorist attack
The cover and synopsis of this book were cute and intriguing. Unfortunately it just didn’t deliver for me.
The plot was just trope after shock factor after trope. Victim situation on top of victim situation on top of victim situation. By the 50% mark I was so tired of the woe is me for this FMC. All the characters were reduced to their role, instead of coming into their own. Leaving them all flat and tired.
There is a lot of telling and not showing. The whole book was basically inner monologue. There was barely any actual dialogue. The timeline was very timeline jumpy. Events that needed unpacking never were, instead the plot would skip to later in the week.
Light spice. Barely open door.
Add a terrorist attack type explosion during London fashion week to just up the camp. I thought it was done in bad taste as something cornered into a side plot.
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75⭐️3🌶️
Adult Fantasy
Multi POV
Dual timelines
Unique Magic system
Sister Story
🏳️🌈 FMC
Trials
Espionage
The story was hard to get into, I think because of all the reflection that happened through any internal monologue. There were so many pov’s all over the fantasy world. Trying to find a separate tone for each was a little hard when all the world building was still happening. It a lot to keep track of.
Romance between two of the FMC’s came from absolutely nowhere with no buildup. They met and kissed on the same day. The spice lacked chemistry. And I feel like it was an underdeveloped plot point.
In the end I am SO glad I pushed through, because the twist at the end, where each POV has been left off, made me very excited to continue with this series! There is so much potential and room for excitement. And knowing the author’s previous work, it’s going to be great!
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
War Storm by Victoria Aveyard
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
War storm 3.5⭐️2🌶️
Fourth book
Multi pov
Ya American dystopian fantasy
Special powers
Politics
Rebellion
I understand why people were disappointed in the ending of this series… and why the author gave in and wrote the novellas.
This book was VERY similar in structure and action to Glass Sword.
—————————
The Red Queen Series
Red Queen 4.5⭐️ 1🌶️
Glass Sword 4.5⭐️2🌶️
King’s Cage 4⭐️2.5🌶️
Fourth book
Multi pov
Ya American dystopian fantasy
Special powers
Politics
Rebellion
I understand why people were disappointed in the ending of this series… and why the author gave in and wrote the novellas.
This book was VERY similar in structure and action to Glass Sword.
—————————
The Red Queen Series
Red Queen 4.5⭐️ 1🌶️
Glass Sword 4.5⭐️2🌶️
King’s Cage 4⭐️2.5🌶️
Kings Cage by Victoria Aveyard
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
4⭐️2.5🌶️
Third Book
Multi POV
YA American Dystopian Fantasy
Special powers
Fugitives
Politics
Rebellion
Imprisonment
Off page romance
———————————
The Red Queen Series
Red Queen 4.5⭐️ 1🌶️
Glass Sword 4.5⭐️2🌶️
Third Book
Multi POV
YA American Dystopian Fantasy
Special powers
Fugitives
Politics
Rebellion
Imprisonment
Off page romance
———————————
The Red Queen Series
Red Queen 4.5⭐️ 1🌶️
Glass Sword 4.5⭐️2🌶️
Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5⭐️ 1🌶️
Second Book
NA American Dystopian Fantasy
Special Powers
Fugitives
Politics
Rebellion
I am really enjoying this series! This was definitely a second book in how much journeying there was. But the action at every turn made up for any repetition that was necessary. The emotional aspect was so good. You constantly feeling the push and pull of the romances.
The characters are interesting and multifaceted. The author has done a good job with who is in the forefront and who is important, but background characters. It allows more focused reading.
I have no idea how this is going to go, and that’s exciting.
———————————
The Red Queen Series
Red Queen 4.5⭐️ 1
Second Book
NA American Dystopian Fantasy
Special Powers
Fugitives
Politics
Rebellion
I am really enjoying this series! This was definitely a second book in how much journeying there was. But the action at every turn made up for any repetition that was necessary. The emotional aspect was so good. You constantly feeling the push and pull of the romances.
The characters are interesting and multifaceted. The author has done a good job with who is in the forefront and who is important, but background characters. It allows more focused reading.
I have no idea how this is going to go, and that’s exciting.
———————————
The Red Queen Series
Red Queen 4.5⭐️ 1